Reasons Your Fiat 500 Key Fob Won't Work

A key fob for fiat bravo key 500 allows you to easily open doors and start your car. However, there are a variety of reasons why the key fob might stop working. This includes a dead coin-battery or water damage, issues with the receiver module, and interference.

This listing is for an NEW replacement Fiat Flip Key Remote - an exact replica of the Ilco brand that needs to be programmed professionally by a local automotive locksmith (click here to search for a Locksmith Search). Includes lock, unlock and trunk buttons.

Dead Coin Battery

A dead battery is the most common reason for your 500 key fob being inoperative. Modern key fobs have a very limited operating range and must be within only a few feet from the vehicle to operate. If you are far from your vehicle, and you press the key fob button the car won't respond and will display an "Key Fob Not Detected" message in the instrument cluster.

If this happens, replace the battery on your coin cell (Part number CR2032) by a new one from a trusted brand like Panasonic, Duracell, or Energizer. They can be found in your local hardware store or on the internet.

After you've replaced the battery of your coin cell, you can test it by standing next to your Fiat Punto Replacement key 500 and pressing the buttons. The parking lights will flash and the key fob should operate the lock and unlock switch.

If the key fob won't work after replacing the battery, it may have water damage that stops it from connecting to the receiver module inside your vehicle. Water damage can occur in many ways, such as simply splashing or submerging the key fob saltwater at the beach. If you suspect that your fob was exposed to water, you can place it in a rice bag to draw out the moisture. If this isn't working, you'll require your fob to be changed by an auto locksmith or a dealer.

Water Damage

Water damage can occur when you submerge the fob in the ocean, or wash it in a washing machine. Saltwater is particularly dangerous to the fob's circuit board which causes it to short out and eventually die. It's not good to let the fob get wet but don't give up in the event that you accidentally drop it in the water or don't remove it from your pocket.

First remove the battery from the fob. Clean the electronic chip with isopropyl alcohol or a similar product and then dry it completely before replacing the battery. Then, test the fob to see if it works. If the key doesn't work, it may have to be changed. This is usually handled by an auto locksmith or dealer.

If your key is a bit older and is not programmed for your car, you will need to replace it completely. This is an easy process that can be completed by a professional automotive locksmith. The locksmith will require the key to be cut to match the car's ignition. They'll also have to reprogram the fob to your vehicle's system. This is a quick and cost-effective process which can be completed on the next day.

Receiver Module Issues

One of the most common reasons your 500 key fob might stop working is that it's simply out of range. The remote's range is of 30 feet. So when you're too far from your car, it won't respond to your commands. You can solve this issue by moving the remote closer to your vehicle until it responds.

If your fob doesn't work after you replace the coin battery, also called a "button", "watch" or "button", it could be due to an issue with the internal circuit board. Reprogramming the fob usually resolves this issue. There are instructions on how to do this on the majority of vehicles by searching YouTube or reading the owner's manual.

You may have to replace the metal retaining clips that hold the coin battery in place. If they lose tension it can stop your coin battery from being properly seated and cause your remote to malfunction.

In rare cases the fob might be out of the vehicle's sync because of hardware or software problems. This could cause a significant problem, but you can usually resolve this issue by visiting a local dealer or auto locksmith to reprogram your fob. In certain situations it may be necessary to reinstall the program in your body control module, as well.

Interference

Interference can also cause the key fob not to receive or transmit an signal. This can occur when the keyfob is in close proximity to a radio transmitter, like a cell phone or radar detector. Other reasons why the key fob might not work could be due to a weak connection to the buttons or the internal chip or water damage.

If your key fob suddenly stopped working, or you have tried everything at home to resolve it (e.g. battery replacement, reprogramming and using the spare key fob, you might have a damaged receiver module on your 500. The receiver module is situated under the dash, and it picks up the radio frequency signals from the key fob. It then converts them into electronic commands that the vehicle interprets.

There's a quick and easy way to reset the 500's onboard system including the keyfob. Disconnect the battery of 12 volts for about 15 minutes, by removing the negative cable first then the positive cable. Then, reconnect the battery. This will clear out any remaining electrical charge and restart the car's computer system, which could help get your key fob working again. If the problem persists you should speak with an expert technician. They will be able diagnose the exact cause of problems.